Week One: Top Five Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 Utah High School season officially gets underway today, with teams across the state in action. Here is our list of the top five games in week one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lone Peak at Timpview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lone Peak Knights and Timpview Thunderbirds face off in what could be one of the top games of the season. The 6A powerhouse Knights are coming off a state championship, while the 5A Thunderbirds are loaded with as much talent as anyone in the state. Timpview has two of the top four athletes in our 2023 rankings in [player_tooltip player_id='406865' first='Pokaiaua' last='Haunga'] and Hezekiah Anahu- Ambrosio. On the other side, Lone Peak has our top-ranked receiver duo in [player_tooltip player_id='406889' first='Cole' last='Christensen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='406886' first='Crew' last='McChesney'], meaning both sides should be in for plenty of explosive plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Syracuse at Riverton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Riverton Silverwolves and Syracuse Titans face off in a battle for 6A supremacy. The Titan's explosive offense and Silverwolves' fierce defense will make for a great show between two of the state's best units. Look for Syracuse Safety [player_tooltip player_id='406950' first='Daxton' last='Faddis'] and Riverton's quarterback Jake Meyers to make a few big plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East at Orem</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The East Leopards and Orem Tigers have faced each other in the early portion of their season for the past two years, with Orem taking both contests. These two stoic programs are loaded in the trenches in what should be an excellent old-fashioned ground and pound game. Watch out for East running back [player_tooltip player_id='406878' first='Amini' last='Amone'] and Orem running back [player_tooltip player_id='406977' first='Mac' last='Hickson'] will both be tested as they fight for every yard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountain Ridge at Olympus</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mountain Ridge Sentinels and Olympus Titans will face off in the first game of the season for the fourth time in just as many years. The Sentinels lost their first game in their program's history to the Titans back in 2019 but since have won the last two meetings. The Mountain Ridge Offense led by standout running back Cade Ulahve and offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='406861' first='Jr' last='Sia'] will try to impose their will on the Titans. In contrast, Olympus will look to a defense led by defensive lineman Abrahma Johnsons and safety [player_tooltip player_id='406972' first='Nash' last='Taylor'] to slow the physical Sentinels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Layton at Alta</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Layton Lancers and the Alta Hawks face off in our most under-the-radar matchup of week one. The Lancers return key players on both sides of the ball and will be a tough test for the Hawks. On the other hand, Alta has one of the best secondaries in the state and will be hungry to make some noise against a formidable 6A opponent. Watch for Layton's offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='406930' first='Spencer' last='Hill'] to serve up some pancakes, and Alt's intimidating cornerback duo of [player_tooltip player_id='406907' first='Isaac' last='Jaramillo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='406911' first='Noah' last='Flores'] make it difficult on receivers all night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->